Church, Monastery, Cathedral: A Guide to the Symbolism of the Christian Tradition

Here in dictionary form, with over 130 illustrations, is an introduction to the symbols encountered in church buildings and in Western religious art generally. The author describes all the major architectural and decorative features of religious buildings and tells us what ideas lie behind them. A unique feature is his manner of relating the names of things to their form. For instance the word canopy, the name for the triangular shelter over a pulpit, comes from the Latin word for a gnat, an insect with a triangular eye and head. As a result of Mr. Whone's efforts, forms in stone, glass and wood are related to the spiritual convictions and traditions that inspired them.